Hypercapacitor apparatus for storing and providing energy

ABSTRACT

A hypercapacitor energy storage system or device facilitates fast charging, stable energy retention, high energy to weight storage and the like. The hypercapacitor comprises an ultracapacitor in electrical connection with an energy retainer which may comprise a battery, a battery field, a standard capacitor and/or the like. The electrical connection between the ultracapacitor and energy retainer may stabilize the energy retention of the hypercapacitor and provide for long-term energy storage and prevent self-discharge. The hypercapacitor may be electrically couplable to an energy source such as the utility grid via a low voltage outlet (e.g., 110V or 220V) or other charging system and may undergo fast charging. The hypercapacitor may be electrically couplable to and/or integrated with various systems or devices requiring energy storage and/or usage and may provide energy thereto.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/332,088, filed May 27, 2021, which claims benefit of priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63/164,474, filed Mar. 22, 2021. Thisapplication is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/141,518,filed Jan. 5, 2021, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/847,538, filed Apr. 13, 2020, which claimsbenefit of priority and is related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/858,902, filed Jun. 7, 2019, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/883,523, filed Aug. 6, 2019, and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/967,406, filed Jan. 29, 2020. The disclosureof each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein in itsentirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and devices forreceiving, storing and providing energy. More specifically, the presentdisclosure relates to a hypercapacitor energy storage system or devicethat may provide energy charging, storing and providing capabilitiesthat are superior to existing energy devices or systems such asbatteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors and the like. Additionally,the hypercapacitor can be integrated, for example, in a modular manner,with various devices or systems that require energy storage and/or usageand may provide energy thereto.

BACKGROUND

Existing energy storage devices, such as batteries and capacitors, canbe useful for storing energy but may have many undesirable limitations.For example, batteries such as lithium ion batteries are resilient toself-discharge but often require long charge times (e.g., 12-14 hours).In contrast, capacitors, such as ultracapacitors and supercapacitors arecapable of being charged quickly (i.e., faster than batteries) but maybe much less resistant to self-discharge than batteries. For example,ultracapacitors/supercapacitors may lose as much as 10-20% of theircharge per day due to self-discharge. Further, althoughultracapacitors/supercapacitors may be capable of withstanding morecharge-discharge cycles than batteries without losing operationalfunctionality, ultracapacitors/supercapacitors may not be capable ofstoring as much energy per weight as batteries.

In addition, batteries, such as lithium ion batteries present manyenvironmental problems. For example, mining and disposing of lithium areboth environmentally destructive. Furthermore, lithium ion batteries arecapable of catching fire and burning at high temperatures for longamounts of time, which is also environmentally destructive and hazardousto human health.

SUMMARY

Given the limitations of current energy storage devices (e.g.,batteries, capacitors) in use today, an energy storage device is neededthat may integrate, or marry, the benefits of standard storage devices(e.g., storage capacitors, battery fields, or battery storage devices)and standard ultracapacitors/supercapacitors (e.g., can charge quickly,is stable or resilient to self-discharge or bleeding of voltage. Somebenefits of such an energy storage system might be that it may includehigh or superior energy to weight ratio, it can fully charge from and iscouplable to the utility grid via a standard 110 volt or 220 voltoutlet, and/or can draw down voltage storage levels all the way down to0 volts without jeopardizing degradation of performance or failure ofthe storage device) in a unitary device or package.

The present disclosure provides for an energy storage system (e.g., thehypercapacitor described below) that can incorporateultracapacitors/supercapacitors and storage devices (e.g., capacitors,batteries) in a single assembly (e.g., as a single integrated unit orpackage) to provide synergistic results, or results that are notachievable, or are substantially reduced, when provided or usedseparately.

The hypercapacitor (e.g., electrically integratedultracapacitor/supercapacitor and energy storage device or energyretainer) overcomes the problems discussed herein. For example, thehypercapacitor can be charged much faster than a standalone battery(discussed in greater detail below) while simultaneously being much moreresilient to self-discharge (i.e., maintains stable voltage levelswithin minimal bleeding) than a standalone ultracapacitor/supercapacitordue to energy stabilization between the ultracapacitor/supercapacitorand energy storage device or energy retainer (e.g., storagecapacitor(s), battery field, and/or battery storage device(s) discussedin greater detail below).

Additionally, the hypercapacitor may be capable of storing much moreenergy per weight than standalone storage devices, battery fields, orultracapacitors/supercapacitors. In some implementations, thehypercapacitor does not include batteries (such as lithium-ionbatteries) that are known to have a detrimental impact on theenvironment (for example, once they become environmental waste productafter battery failure or exhaustion). Thus, the hypercapacitor,described in greater detail below, provides for a superior energystorage device over standard energy storage devices in use today. Thehypercapacitor may be incorporated into any device or system thatrequires energy storage and/or usage such as electric vehicles fortransportation (e.g., electric cars, electric trucks, electricmotorcycles, electric scooters, electric trains, electric boats,electric aircraft), electric vehicles or electric equipment forconstruction or farming (e.g., tractors, bulldozers, lawnmowers), powertools that have typically been powered by batteries (e.g., electricblowers, electric drills, electric lawnmowers, electric nail guns,electric saws), building energy/power systems, manufacturingenergy/power systems, games, drones, robots, toys and the like. Thehypercapacitor may replace standard energy storage devices (e.g.,standard batteries, capacitors) in any of the devices or systemsdescribed.

Various embodiments of systems, methods and devices within the scope ofthe appended claims each have several aspects, no single one of which issolely responsible for the desirable attributes described herein.Without limiting the scope of the appended claims, the description belowdescribes some prominent features.

Details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described inthis specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and thedescription below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will becomeapparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Note thatrelative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn to scale.

The present disclosure provides a hypercapacitor apparatus for storingand providing energy. The apparatus may comprise: a capacitor modulewhich may be electrically couplable to an energy source via one or moreinbound diodes, wherein the one or more inbound diodes may be biasedtoward the capacitor module and wherein the capacitor module may beconfigured to: receive, via the one or more inbound diodes, inboundenergy from the energy source; and store the inbound energy as a firstenergy in an electric field of the capacitor module. The apparatus mayfurther comprise an energy retainer which may be electrically coupled tothe capacitor module via one or more outbound diodes, wherein the one ormore outbound diodes may be biased toward the energy retainer andwherein the energy retainer may be configured to: receive, via the oneor more outbound diodes, outbound energy from the capacitor module inresponse to a voltage level of the energy retainer dropping below a lowthreshold value; store said outbound energy as a second energy of theenergy retainer; and convey the second energy to a load.

In some embodiments, the energy source may be a utility grid and thecapacitor module may be further configured to: be electrically couplableto the utility grid via a standard 110 volt or 220 volt outlet; andincrease the first energy by a voltage capacity of the capacitor modulein less than 30 minutes; and the energy retainer may be furtherconfigured to not receive outbound energy from the capacitor module inresponse to a voltage level of the energy retainer reaching a highthreshold voltage value.

In some embodiments, the energy source may be a power generation system.

In some embodiments, the capacitor module may comprise one or moreultracapacitors and/or supercapacitors.

In some embodiments, the energy retainer may comprise one or morebatteries.

In some embodiments, the energy retainer may comprise one or morecapacitors.

In some embodiments, the energy retainer may not comprise lithium ionbatteries.

In some embodiments, the energy retainer and the capacitor module maycomprise a single integrated unit.

In some embodiments, the energy retainer may be electrically coupled tothe capacitor module via one or more high voltage lines.

In some embodiments, the electrical coupling between the energy retainerand the capacitor module may stabilize the voltage of the capacitormodule to prevent voltage loss of the first energy of the capacitormodule due to self-discharge.

In some embodiments, the energy retainer may be configured to receiveoutbound energy from the capacitor module via the one or more outbounddiodes based, at least in part, on a current voltage level of thecapacitor module.

In some embodiments, the energy retainer may be configured to receiveoutbound energy from the capacitor module via the one or more outbounddiodes based, at least in part, on a resistance in the one or moreoutbound diodes.

In some embodiments, the hypercapacitor may further comprise a batterymanagement system, wherein the battery management system may beelectrically coupled to the energy retainer and may be configured tomonitor the energy conveyed from the energy retainer to the load andcontrol when the energy retainer conveys energy to the load.

In some embodiments, the energy retainer may be further configured toconvey all of the second energy to the load.

The present disclosure provides a hypercapacitor apparatus for storingand providing energy. The apparatus may comprise: a capacitor moduleelectrically couplable to an energy source and wherein the capacitormodule may be configured to: receive inbound energy from the energysource; and store the inbound energy as a first energy in an electricfield of the capacitor module. The apparatus may further comprise anenergy retainer electrically coupled to the capacitor module wherein theenergy retainer and the capacitor module may comprise a singleintegrated unit and wherein the energy retainer may be configured to:receive outbound energy from the capacitor module to stabilize thevoltage of the capacitor module to prevent voltage loss of the firstenergy of the capacitor module due to self-discharge; store saidoutbound energy as a second energy of the energy retainer; and conveythe second energy to a load.

In some embodiments, the energy source may be a utility grid and whereinthe capacitor module may be further configured to: be electricallycouplable to the utility grid via a standard 110 volt or 220 voltoutlet; and wherein the energy retainer may be further configured to:receive, outbound energy from the capacitor module in response to avoltage level of the energy retainer dropping below a low thresholdvalue; and not receive outbound energy from the capacitor module inresponse to a voltage level of the energy retainer reaching a highthreshold voltage value.

In some embodiments, the capacitor module may comprise one or moreultracapacitors and/or supercapacitors and wherein the energy retainermay comprise one or more batteries.

The present disclosure provides a hypercapacitor apparatus for storingand providing energy. The hypercapacitor apparatus may comprise: acapacitor module electrically couplable to an energy source and whereinthe capacitor module may comprise a first plurality of capacitors and asecond plurality of capacitors, and wherein the capacitor module may beconfigured to: receive, at the first or second plurality of capacitors,inbound energy from the energy source, and store, at the first or secondplurality of capacitors, the inbound energy as a first energy as anelectric field of the capacitor module. The hypercapacitor apparatus mayfurther comprise an energy retainer electrically coupled to thecapacitor module and wherein the energy retainer may be configured to:receive outbound energy conveyed from the first or second plurality ofcapacitors in response to a voltage level of the energy retainerdropping below a low threshold value; store said outbound energy as asecond energy of the energy retainer; and convey the second energy to aload

In some embodiments, the first plurality of capacitors may receive theinbound energy while the second plurality of capacitors may convey thefirst energy to the energy retainer or wherein the second plurality ofcapacitors may receive the inbound energy while the first plurality ofcapacitors may convey the first energy to the energy retainer.

In some embodiments, the first plurality of capacitors may alternatebetween receiving the inbound energy and conveying the first energy tothe energy retainer, and wherein the second plurality of capacitors mayalternate between receiving the inbound energy and conveying the firstenergy to the energy retainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-1B illustrate diagrams of example embodiments of ahypercapacitor for receiving energy, storing energy and providingenergy.

FIG. 1C illustrates an example embodiment of a hypercapacitor.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of a hypercapacitor in apower tool.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example implementation of a hypercapacitor in anelectric vehicle.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of an energy retainer of ahypercapacitor comprising a battery field that may be incorporated intoan electric vehicle.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of an ultracapacitor of ahypercapacitor and a power generation system incorporated into anelectric vehicle.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of electrical connections of anenergy retainer of a hypercapacitor comprising a battery field that maybe incorporated into an electric vehicle.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment of a toggle module forcontrolling the flow of energy between a power generation or chargingsystem, a hypercapacitor and/or a load.

FIG. 8 illustrates example embodiments of instruments that may beincorporated in an electric vehicle and used in conjunction with theother systems, devices, or components described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example vehicle employing a power generation orcharging system and a hypercapacitor.

FIG. 10 illustrates a chart of example data relating to voltagegeneration and usage of a power generation or charging system and ahypercapacitor while operating in an electric vehicle while travelling adistance.

The various features illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn toscale. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may bearbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of thedrawings may not depict all of the components of a given system, methodor device. Finally, like reference numerals may be used to denote likefeatures throughout the specification and figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

The present disclosure provides for a hypercapacitor energy storagesystem or hypercapacitor that can integrate or marryultracapacitors/supercapacitors and storage devices (e.g., capacitors,batteries) in a single assembly (e.g., as a single integrated unit orpackage) to provide synergistic results, or results that are notachievable, or are substantially reduced, when provided or usedseparately. For example, the hypercapacitor can be charged much fasterthan a standalone battery, the hypercapacitor is capable of retainingenergy for a long storage life without losing energy due toself-discharge, the hypercapacitor may be capable of storing much moreenergy per weight than standalone storage devices (e.g., batteries,standard capacitors), and the hypercapacitor can draw down voltagestorage levels down to 0 volts without risking device performancefailure such as is common for example with standard lithium ionbatteries which cannot draw voltage below a low threshold capacity.

Thus, the hypercapacitor, described herein, provides for a superiorenergy storage device over standard energy storage devices in widespreaduse today. Furthermore, the hypercapacitor may replace standard energystorage devices in any device or system that uses them. For example, thehypercapacitor may replace standard energy storage devices and/or may beused in electric vehicles for transportation, electric vehicles orelectric equipment for construction or farming, power tools, buildingenergy/power systems, manufacturing energy/power systems, games, drones,robots, toys, computers, electronics and the like.

Example Hypercapacitor for Storing Energy

FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a diagram of an example embodiment ofa hypercapacitor 102 for storing energy (e.g., such as may be used in anelectric vehicle or any other device that requires use of energytypically stored in a rechargeable power supply), which may also bereferred to as a hypercapacitor energy storage system or device. Asshown, the hypercapacitor 102 may comprise or consist essentially of anultracapacitor portion 104, an energy retainer 106, one or more inbounddiodes 108, and optionally one or more outbound diodes 110. In someembodiments, the hypercapacitor 102 may not comprise the inbound diode108 and/or the outbound diode 110. In some embodiments, thehypercapacitor 102 may comprise and/or may be electrically coupled to abattery management system (such as of an electric vehicle) as discussedin greater detail below.

The ultracapacitor portion 104 may be electrically coupled to the energyretainer 106 and in some embodiments, together may comprise a singleintegrated unit, housing, or package (e.g., the hypercapacitor 102). Theultracapacitor portion 104 may provide energy to the energy retainer 106as the energy in the energy retainer 106 is depleted (for exampleresulting from an energy demand at a load). The hypercapacitor 102 canadvantageously be used to replace a rechargeable battery or power supplyof any electric device.

The electrical connection between the ultracapacitor portion 104 and theenergy retainer 106 may advantageously stabilize the voltage levels ofthe ultracapacitor portion 104 and prevent self-discharge as the energyretainer 106 retains energy provided from the ultracapacitor portion 104via their electrical connection. Advantageously, stabilizing the voltagelevels in the ultracapacitor portion 104 by reducing and/orsubstantially eliminating self-discharge or bleeding provides a superiorenergy device capable of storing energy (e.g., maintaining high voltagelevels) for much longer than existing energy devices in widespread usetoday.

The ultracapacitor portion 104 may be electrically coupled to an energysource as described in greater detail below for example with referenceto FIG. 1B. By receiving energy from the energy source at theultracapacitor portion 104, the hypercapacitor 102 may be chargedquickly, for example, in less than 15 minutes (e.g., less than 12minutes, less than 10 minutes, less than 8 minutes, less than 4 minutes,less than 2 minutes, etc., depending on the current voltage level andcapacity of the device). Advantageously, the ultracapacitor portion 104may facilitate quickly charging the hypercapacitor 102 to the requiredor desired operational voltages in much shorter times than thoserequired for standard energy devices (e.g., standard batteries) in usetoday.

The ultracapacitor portion 104 of the hypercapacitor 102 may compriseone or more ultracapacitors and/or supercapacitors. The energy retainerportion 106 may comprise a device or multiple devices capable of storingor retaining energy such as a battery, a battery field and/or acapacitor. For example, in some embodiments the energy retainer portion106 may include a battery, a battery field such as the battery fieldsshown in FIGS. 3-4. In some embodiments, the energy retainer portion 106may comprise one or more capacitors, such as standard storagecapacitors. In accordance with several embodiments, the energy retainerportion 106 may advantageously not comprise lithium ion batteries, whichmay provide a benefit to quality of the environment for any or all ofthe reasons discussed herein. In some embodiments, the energy retainerportion 106 may comprise lithium ion batteries.

The hypercapacitor 102 may be electrically couplable to an energysource, such as a power generation or charging system or the utilitygrid via a standard outlet plug and configured to receive energy asinbound energy from the energy source. The hypercapacitor 102 may beconfigured to receive the inbound energy at the ultracapacitor portion104. The ultracapacitor portion 104 may receive the inbound energy viaone or more inbound diodes 108. The inbound diode(s) 108 may bias thedirection of energy flow into the ultracapacitor portion 104. Theinbound diode(s) 108 may comprise one or more diodes per ultracapacitorin embodiments where the ultracapacitor portion 104 comprises more thanone ultracapacitor. The inbound diode(s) 108 may be arranged in series.

In some embodiments, the energy source may provide energy to theultracapacitor portion 104 when resistance in the inbound diode 108 issufficiently small and/or when the voltage in the ultracapacitor portion104 is sufficiently low. The amount of energy and/or the rate at whichenergy is provided to the ultracapacitor portion 104 may be proportionalto the resistance in the inbound diode 108 and/or the voltage level ofthe ultracapacitor portion 104. For example, the ultracapacitor portion104 may charge quicker (faster) when it has a low voltage level thanwhen it has a high voltage level. In some embodiments, the energy sourcemay stop providing energy to the ultracapacitor portion 104 when theresistance in the inbound diode 108 is sufficiently high and/or when thevoltage level of the ultracapacitor portion 104 reaches a high thresholdlevel, such as a high voltage level (e.g., more than 400 V), or anyother voltage required or desired to operate the system.

As discussed in greater detail below, energy provided to theultracapacitor portion 104 from the energy source may charge theultracapacitor portion 104 and/or the hypercapacitor 102 quickly (e.g.,much faster than standard existing energy devices such as batteries).For example, the ultracapacitor portion 104 and/or the hypercapacitor102 may be charged (e.g., increase from zero volts to a requiredoperational voltage or voltage capacity) in less than 15 minutes. Forexample, the ultracapacitor portion 104 and/or the hypercapacitor 102may be charged in 10 minutes, 8 minutes, 4 minutes, 1 minute, 30 secondsetc. The charge time may vary based at least in part on operationalvoltage requirements of the device with which the hypercapacitor 102 isintegrated and/or the energy source provided to the hypercapacitor 102.

The inbound energy provided to the hypercapacitor 102 may charge theultracapacitor portion 104. The one or more ultracapacitors of theultracapacitor portion 104 may be charged simultaneously orsequentially. For example, one ultracapacitor may receive energy from anenergy source while one or more other ultracapacitors are not receivingenergy from the energy source. The one or more ultracapacitors of theultracapacitor portion 104 may be sequentially charged in an order thatis determined based, at least in part, on their existing charge level.For example, an ultracapacitor that has the lowest charge level may becharged prior to other ultracapacitors with higher charge levels. Eachultracapacitor may be fully charged or charged to a certain thresholdcharge level before a subsequent ultracapacitor is charged.

As discussed in greater detail below, the ultracapacitor portion 104 mayprovide energy to the energy retainer portion 106. The one or moreultracapacitors of the ultracapacitor portion 104 may provide energy tothe energy retainer portion 106 simultaneously or sequentially. Forexample, one ultracapacitor may provide energy to the energy retainerportion 106 while one or more other ultracapacitors are not providingenergy to the energy retainer portion 106. The one or moreultracapacitors of the ultracapacitor portion 104 may sequentiallyprovide energy to the energy retainer portion 106 in an order that isdetermined based, at least in part, on their existing charge level. Forexample, an ultracapacitor that has the highest charge level may provideenergy to the energy retainer portion 106 prior to other ultracapacitorswith lower charge levels. Each ultracapacitor may provide energy to theenergy retainer portion 106 until their energy is entirely depleted(e.g., zero volts) and/or reaches a low threshold level before asubsequent ultracapacitor commences providing energy to the energyretainer portion 106.

In some embodiments, the one or more ultracapacitors of theultracapacitor portion 104 may receive energy from the energy source atthe same time as providing energy to the energy retainer portion 106. Insome embodiments, the ultracapacitors of the ultracapacitor portion 104may not receive energy from the energy source at the same time asproviding energy to the energy retainer portion 106. In someembodiments, the ultracapacitors of the ultracapacitor portion 104 maytoggle between receiving energy from the energy source and providingenergy to the energy retainer portion 106. In some embodiments, someultracapacitors may receive energy from the energy source, while otherultracapacitors provide energy to the energy retainer portion 106.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the ultracapacitor portion 104 may be electricallycoupled to the energy retainer portion 106. In some embodiments, theultracapacitor portion 104 may be directly connected to the energyretainer portion 106. For example, the ultracapacitor portion 104 andthe energy retainer portion 106 may comprise a single integrated unit orpackage. In some embodiments, the ultracapacitor portion 104 may bewired to the energy retainer portion 106 and/or connected via one ormore high voltage lines. The ultracapacitor portion 104 may provideenergy to the energy retainer portion 106 to charge the energy retainerportion 106. In some embodiments, the ultracapacitor portion 104 mayprovide energy to the energy retainer portion 106 via one or moreoutbound diodes 110. The outbound diode(s) 110 may be arranged inseries. The outbound diode(s) 110 may bias the direction of flow ofenergy into the energy retainer portion 106. The ultracapacitor portion104 may toggle between providing energy to the energy retainer portion106 and not providing energy to the energy retainer portion 106 and mayso toggle automatically and/or manually as discussed herein.

In some embodiments, the ultracapacitor portion 104 may provide energyto the energy retainer portion 106 when resistance in the outbound diode110 is sufficiently small and/or when the voltage in the energy retainerportion 106 is sufficiently low. The low voltage threshold level of theenergy retainer portion 106 at which the energy retainer portion 106begins receiving energy from the ultracapacitor portion 104 may be basedat least in part on the voltage capacity of the energy retainer portion106 and/or the ultracapacitor portion 104 and/or the operational voltagerequirements of the system to which the hypercapacitor 102 providesenergy. In some embodiments, the ultracapacitor portion 104 may provideenergy to the energy retainer portion 106 when the voltage in the energyretainer portion 106 is sufficiently low relative to a voltage level inthe ultracapacitor portion 104. The amount of energy and/or the rate atwhich energy is provided to the energy retainer portion 106 may beproportional to the resistance in the outbound diode 110 and/or thevoltage level of the energy retainer portion 106. For example, theenergy retainer portion 106 may charge quicker (faster) when it has alow voltage than when it has a high voltage. In some embodiments, theultracapacitor portion 104 may stop providing energy to the energyretainer portion 106 when the resistance in the outbound diode 110 issufficiently high and/or when the voltage level of the energy retainerportion 106 reaches a high threshold level. The high voltage thresholdlevel of the energy retainer portion 106 at which the energy retainerportion 106 stops receiving energy from the ultracapacitor portion 104may be based at least in part on the voltage capacity of the energyretainer portion 106 and/or the ultracapacitor portion 104 and/or theoperational voltage requirements of the system to which thehypercapacitor 102 provides energy.

The electrical connection of the ultracapacitor portion 104 to theenergy retainer portion 106 may stabilize the voltage in theultracapacitor portion 104. For example, the ultracapacitor portion 104may maintain a high voltage level and may not lose voltage due toself-discharge because the ultracapacitor portion 104 is coupled to theenergy retainer portion 106 and/or is able to provide energy thereto.Thus, the electrical connection of the ultracapacitor portion 104 to theenergy retainer portion 106 may advantageously eliminate the highself-discharge rate problems associated with standard capacitors whilealso providing a system capable of fast charge times. Thus, thehypercapacitor 102 described herein may provide an energy storage systemcapable of charging quickly and storing energy for long amounts of timewithout having the drawbacks or inefficiencies of standard battery orcapacitor systems.

FIG. 1B illustrates example implementations of the hypercapacitor 102.As discussed above, the hypercapacitor 102 may be electrically couplableto an energy source and receive energy from the energy source. In someimplementations, the energy source may comprise a power generation orcharging system 117 and/or a power outlet 115 of the utility grid. Thehypercapacitor 102 may be electrically couplable (e.g., removablycoupled) to a power generation or charging system 117. The powergeneration or charging system 117 may be integrated with the device towhich the hypercapacitor 102 provides energy. The power generation orcharging system 117 may generate energy as a result of mechanicalmovement or motion such as rotation, translation, vibration and/or thelike. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the power generation or chargingsystem 117 may be operably coupled to a wheel and may generate energy inresponse to rotation of the wheel. The power generation or chargingsystem 117 may provide energy to the ultracapacitor portion 104. Thepower generation or charging system 117 may toggle between providingenergy to the ultracapacitor portion 104 and not providing energy to theultracapacitor portion 104 and may so toggle automatically and/ormanually as discussed herein.

The power generation or charging system 117 may continuously provideenergy to the hypercapacitor 102 as energy is generated at thegeneration system 117. This may continuously charge the ultracapacitorportion 104. For example, as described with reference to FIGS. 3-10, thehypercapacitor 102 may be integrated with an electric vehicle and mayreceive energy from a power generation system of the electric vehiclethat generates energy for example as the vehicle is in motion.Integrating the hypercapacitor 102 with a power generation system 117may significantly improve the range that the vehicle may travel becausethe hypercapacitor 102 is being continuously charged as the vehicletravels. Advantageously, the hypercapacitor 102 may be capable of beingfully charged by a power generation system 117 as the vehicle travelsover a short distance, for example over less than a mile.

The hypercapacitor 102 may be electrically couplable (e.g., removablycoupled) to the utility grid or mains electricity. For example, theultracapacitor portion 104 of the hypercapacitor 102 may be electricallycouplable to a standard low voltage plug or outlet 115 such as 110 voltoutlets used in the United States utility power grid or 220 volt outletsused in European utility power grids. Energy from the outlet 115 (e.g.standard 100 or 110 volt outlet) may be provided to the ultracapacitorportion 104 of the hypercapacitor 102, for example, via the inbounddiode(s) 108, and may charge the ultracapacitor portion 104 and/or thehypercapacitor 102.

Advantageously, the ultracapacitor portion 104 may not require highvoltage plugs to charge, such as are commonly required by energy devicesin use today such as standard battery electric vehicles. The ability tocharge the ultracapacitor portion 104 without the use of a high voltageplug may advantageously facilitate quick and efficient charging ataccessible locations (e.g., any standard 110V or 220V outlet) whilereducing the need for significant changes to infrastructure (e.g.,reducing or eliminating construction of charging stations for electricvehicles for general public use) and reducing the need for constructionof at-home high voltage plugs or outlets, which may provide a benefit toquality of the environment by reducing construction.

As discussed herein, capacitors such as the ultracapacitor portion 104may be charged quickly (e.g., much faster than batteries). Inboundenergy, such as from the power generation or charging system 117 and/orutility grid outlets 115 (e.g., 110 volt outlets), provided to theultracapacitor portion 104 may charge the hypercapacitor 102 quickly.For example, the hypercapacitor 102 may be charged to a capacity voltagelevel (such as 400 V) in less than 30 minutes, less than 15 minutes,less than 10 minutes, less than 5 minutes, or less than 1 minute. Insome embodiments, the hypercapacitor 102 may increase from zero volts toa required operational voltage or voltage capacity (e.g., 400 volts orany other voltage as required and/or desired) in 15 minutes or less than15 minutes, for example when plugged into the utility grid via astandard 110 volt outlet or 220 volt outlet. In some embodiments, thehypercapacitor 102 may increase from zero volts to a requiredoperational voltage or voltage capacity (e.g., 400 volts or any othervoltage as required and/or desired) in 4-8 minutes when plugged into theutility grid via a standard 110 volt outlet or 220 volt outlet. In someembodiments, the hypercapacitor 102 may increase from zero volts to arequired operational voltage for a power tool (such as illustrated inFIG. 2) in 2 minutes when plugged into the utility grid via a standard110 volt outlet or 220 volt outlet.

In accordance with several embodiments, as the ultracapacitor portion104 is charged by inbound energy the voltage of the ultracapacitorportion 104 will increase. The increase in energy (e.g., voltage) at theultracapacitor portion 104 is represented by the increased dot densityshown in FIG. 1B. As the voltage of the ultracapacitor portion 104increases, the inbound diode(s) 108 may trap energy in theultracapacitor portion 104 by biasing the direction of energy flowtoward the ultracapacitor portion 104. This may facilitate the transferof energy from the ultracapacitor portion 104 to the energy retainerportion 106. As energy in the ultracapacitor portion 104 (shown by dotdensity in FIG. 1B) increases relative to the energy in the energyretainer portion 106 (shown by dot density in FIG. 1B), energy may bemore likely to transfer from the ultracapacitor portion 104 to theenergy retainer portion 106. The outbound diode(s) 110 may trap energyin the energy retainer portion 106 by biasing the direction of energyflow toward the energy retainer portion 106. This may increase theenergy stored in the energy retainer portion 106 by facilitating thetransfer of energy from the ultracapacitor portion to the energyretainer portion 106. This may increase the operating time of thehypercapacitor 102, for example in instances where the hypercapacitor102 is not receiving energy continuously from a power generation system117.

The energy retainer portion 106 may provide energy to a load such as anydevice that requires energy, for example via a connection at theterminals. For example, when the hypercapacitor 102 is incorporated intoan electric vehicle, the energy retainer portion 106 may provide energyto the motor of the vehicle, for example a traction motor and/or toother devices or systems of the vehicle that require energy or power. Insome embodiments, the energy retainer portion 106 may be configured toprovide its entire voltage carrying capacity to a load without ceasingoperation or decreasing in operational functionality.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, in some embodiments thehypercapacitor 102 may comprise and/or be electrically coupled to abattery management system (not shown) or other control or managementsystem. The battery management system may include a controller. Forexample, the battery management system may monitor and control the flowof energy to and from the various components and the conditions underwhich the flow of energy is to occur. In some embodiments, the batterymanagement system may be in electrical communication with the energyretainer portion 106 and/or a load and may monitor and/or control theenergy that is provided from the energy retainer portion 106 to a load,such as the motor of an electric vehicle. In some embodiments, thebattery management system may be in electrical communication with theultracapacitor portion 104 and may monitor and/or control the energythat is provided to the ultracapacitor portion 104 from an energysource. In some embodiments, the battery management system may be inelectrical communication with the ultracapacitor portion 104 and theenergy retainer portion 106 and may monitor and/or control the energythat is provided to the ultracapacitor portion 104 and the energy thatis provided from the energy retainer portion 106. In some embodiments,the battery management system may monitor and/or control the energy thatis provided from the ultracapacitor portion 104 to the energy retainerportion 106.

FIG. 1C illustrates an example embodiment of a hypercapacitor 102. Inthis example, the hypercapacitor 102 comprises an ultracapacitor 104 andan energy retainer portion 106. The energy retainer portion 106 includesa battery (e.g., nickel-cadmium battery, lithium ion battery, or othertype of battery). The ultracapacitor 104 is electrically coupled to theenergy retainer portion 106. The hypercapacitor 102 shown in FIG. 1C mayoperate as described with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B.

Example Implementations of the Hypercapacitor

The hypercapacitor 102 can be used in any device or system that uses,stores or requires energy such as electric vehicles, power tools,building energy/power systems, manufacturing energy/power systems,games, toys, electronics, computers, and the like. The hypercapacitor102 may be modularly used in and/or integrated into various devices orsystems. For example, the hypercapacitor 102 may be integrated with theassembly of the device to which it provides energy in a removable manneror in a fixed manner. As an example, the lithium ion battery of astandard electric vehicle may be removed and replaced with thehypercapacitor 102. The hypercapacitor 102 may comprise electricalfeatures to facilitate easy integration into various devices. Forexample, the hypercapacitor may be capable of storing and/or providingvarious voltages such as may be required by various devices or systems.For example, in some embodiments, the hypercapacitor 102 may be capableof storing and providing 400 volts to the load of a device with which itis integrated, and in some embodiments, the hyperapacitor 102 may becapable of storing and providing 20 volts to the load of a device withwhich it is integrated. The hypercapacitor 102 may comprise physicalfeatures to facilitate easy integration into various devices. Forexample, the hypercapacitor 102 may comprise various shapes and/or sizesto facilitate integration into various devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of the hypercapacitor 102into a power tool such as a drill. The hypercapacitor 102 may comprisesimilar components and/or operational functionality as describedelsewhere herein, for example with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. As shown,the hypercapacitor 102 comprises an ultracapacitor portion 104electrically coupled to an energy retainer portion 106. Theultracapacitor portion 104 may receive energy from an energy source andincrease in voltage (shown by dot density in FIG. 2). As theultracapacitor portion 104 increases in energy (e.g., voltage), theenergy stored in the ultracapacitor portion 104 may be more likely totransfer to the energy retainer portion 106. For example, when theenergy (e.g., voltage) in the energy retainer portion 106 (shown by dotdensity in FIG. 2) is less than the energy (e.g., voltage) in theultracapacitor portion 104 (shown by dot density in FIG. 2), the energyretainer portion 106 may be more amenable to receiving energy from theultracapacitor portion 104.

The hypercapacitor 102 comprises physical characteristics to facilitateintegration with the power drill. For example, as shown, theultracapacitor portion 104 of the hypercapacitor 102 is sized and shapedappropriately to fit into the handle of the power drill. The energyretainer portion 106 is also sized and shaped appropriately tofacilitate integration with the handle of the power drill. Thehypercapacitor 102 may comprise electrical characteristics to facilitateintegration with the power tool. For example, the hypercapacitor 102 maybe configured to store and provide a voltage level as required by thepower drill.

The hypercapacitor 102 may be configured to be electrically couplable(e.g., removably coupled) to a utility grid via standard outlets, suchas 110V or 220V outlets, such as described for example with reference toFIG. 1B. The standard outlets (110V, 220V) may provide energy to thehypercapacitor 102 to charge the hypercapacitor 102. The hypercapacitor102 may be charged to a voltage level to operate the power drill in ashort amount of time (e.g., much shorter than charge times of standardbatteries in current use in power tools. For example, the hypercapacitor102 may be charged to a voltage capacity (e.g., fully charged from zerovolts) in less than 10 minutes, less than 8 minutes, less than 4 minutesor less than 1 minute. The charge time may vary, depending at least inpart on the operational requirements of the power tool or other devicewith which the hypercapacitor 102 is integrated and/or the energy sourceprovided to the hypercapacitor 102.

In some embodiments, the power drill comprises a power generation system(not shown) which may comprise similar operational functionality to thepower generation system 115, described for example with reference toFIG. 1B. For example, the power generation system may generate powerbased on mechanical movement of the drill, such as rotation of the drillbit. The power generation system may be electrically coupled to thehypercapacitor 102 and may provide energy to the hypercapacitor 102.This may prolong the high voltage levels stored in the hypercapacitor102 and prolong operation of the power drill, for example, before thehypercapacitor 102 must be connected to a standard outlet (110V, 220V)to be recharged. In some embodiments, the power drill does not comprisea power generation system and the hypercapacitor 102 may receive energysolely from the utility grid via standard outlets (110V, 220V, dependingon the country or region) and does not require high-power (e.g., higherthan standard low-power outlets for the country or region) outlets orcharging stations.

FIG. 2 is shown as an example and is not meant to be limiting of thescope of implementation or applicability of the present disclosure. Thehypercapacitor 102 may be implemented in any device in a similar mannerto that described with reference to the power drill of FIG.

Example Hypercapacitor Implementation in an Electric Vehicle

FIGS. 3-10 illustrate example implementations of the hypercapacitor 102incorporated into an example electric vehicle. FIGS. 3-10 are not meantto be limiting. The hypercapacitor 102 may be incorporated into anyelectric vehicle or any other system or device that uses or storesenergy. The hypercapacitor may be capable of storing much more energyper weight than standalone storage devices. For example, ahypercapacitor installed in an electric vehicle, such as those discussedin FIGS. 3-10, may weigh 300 lbs. or less, whereas normal lithium ionbatteries in a standard electric vehicle might weigh 1500 lbs. or morefor the same comparable energy storage capability. Further, in partbecause of the reduced weight of a hypercapacitor storage system such asthose illustrated in FIGS. 3-10, (when compared to existing energystorage systems known in the art) a vehicle incorporating ahypercapacitor energy storage system may have a significantly increasedor extended range (in some cases as large as three times the extendedrange) when compared to currently available electric vehicles withstandard energy storage systems.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example vehicle into which the hypercapacitor 102may be incorporated. The hypercapacitor 102 may be incorporated as partof the assembly of the vehicle and may be mobile with the vehicle. Thehypercapacitor 102 may comprise similar components and/or operationalfunctionality as described elsewhere herein, for example with referenceto FIGS. 1A-1C. The hypercapacitor 102 may comprise an energy retainerportion 106 which may comprise one or more batteries such as a batteryfield as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the hypercapacitor 102may be electrically couplable to a utility grid via standard outletssuch as 110V or 220V outlets. In some embodiments, the hypercapacitor102 may be electrically coupled to a power generation or charging systemof the vehicle.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of an energy retainer portion106 of a hypercapacitor 102 which may be implemented in a vehicle, forexample the vehicle shown in FIG. 3. The energy retainer portion 106comprises a battery field. The energy retainer portion 106 may provide a33 Kwh standard battery field, for example. The energy retainer portion106 may include a plurality of individual battery units or modules. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 4, the energy retainer portion 106 may includeeight individual battery units. The energy retainer portion 106 maystore energy used to drive the motor of the vehicle. In accordance withseveral embodiments, the energy retainer portion 106 may not compriselithium ion batteries, which may provide a benefit to quality of theenvironment. In some embodiments, the energy retainer portion 106 maycomprise and/or be electrically coupled to a fuse (not shown). The fusemay prevent the energy retainer portion 106 from being overchargedand/or receiving too much energy (for example, from the ultracapacitorportion 104 as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C). For example, if the energyretainer portion 106 reaches a certain voltage level, the fuse mayadvantageously prevent the energy retainer portion 106 from receivingany more energy to charge the energy retainer portion 106.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of an ultracapacitor portion104 of a hypercapacitor 102 and a power generation or charging system117 which may be implemented in a vehicle, for example the vehicle shownin FIG. 3. As discussed herein, the ultracapacitor portion 104 maycomprise one or more ultracapacitors and/or supercapacitors, such asdescribed herein. The power generation or charging system 117 may beelectrically coupled to the ultracapacitor portion 104 and may provideenergy to the ultracapacitor portion 104 to charge the ultracapacitorportion 104, for example as the vehicle is in motion. This may prolonghigh voltage levels in the hypercapacitor 102 which may prolongoperation of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the power generation orcharging system 117 may be electrically coupled to the ultracapacitorportion 104 via high voltage wiring. In some embodiments, the powergeneration or charging system 117 may be electrically coupled to theultracapacitor portion 104 without high voltage wiring. Theultracapacitor portion 104 may be electrically coupled to the energyretainer portion 106 (not shown) via high voltage line(s) and/ordirectly and/or via wiring which may stabilize the voltage of theultracapacitor portion 104 and prevent voltage loss due toself-discharge. The ultracapacitor portion 104 may provide energy to theenergy retainer portion 106 when the energy retainer portion reaches alow voltage threshold level such as 350V or 360V. The ultracapacitorportion 104 may stop providing energy to the energy retainer portionwhen the energy retainer portion reaches a high voltage threshold levelsuch as 370V, 380V, 390V, 400V or the like.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of an energy retainer portion106 of a hypercapacitor 102 such as may be used in a vehicle as shownFIGS. 3-4. As shown in FIG. 6, the energy retainer portion 106 may beenclosed by a housing such that the energy retainer portion 106 is notsubstantially physically exposed. The housing of the energy retainerportion 106 may include electrical connectors 607, 605. The electricalconnectors 607, 605 may be electrically coupled to the energy retainerportion 106 and may be capable of providing energy to the energyretainer portion 106 to charge the energy retainer portion 106. Theelectrical connectors 607, 605 may be configured to be removablyelectrically coupled to the ultracapacitor portion 104. Theultracapacitor portion 104 may provide energy to the energy retainerportion 106 to charge the energy retainer portion 106 directly via theelectrical connectors 607, 605.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment of a toggle module 701. Thetoggle module 701 shown in FIG. 7 may be incorporated into, implementedby, or used in conjunction with, the other systems, devices, orcomponents described herein, such as the hypercapacitor 102 and/or apower generation or charging system 117 for use in a vehicle such as thevehicle shown in FIG. 3. The toggle module 701 may be electricallycoupled to a power generation or charging system 117 of the vehicle, aswell as the ultracapacitor portion 104 (not shown) and the energyretainer portion 106 (not shown) of the hypercapacitor 102. The togglemodule 701 may control charging of the ultracapacitor portion 104 and/orthe energy retainer portion 106. For example, the toggle module 701 maycontrol when the power generation or charging system 117 provides energyto the ultracapacitor portion 104 and/or when the ultracapacitor portion104 provides energy to the energy retainer portion 106. The togglemodule 701 may be located within an interior region of the vehicle, suchas adjacent to a driver as shown in FIG. 7.

The toggle module 701 may include one or more buttons, switches or othermechanisms that may be operated by a user, such as a driver of thevehicle. For example, the toggle module 701 may include a button 703 andone or more switches 705. The button 703 and switches 705 are given asexamples of user-operable mechanisms and are not meant to be limiting.In some embodiments, toggle module 701 may include other user-operablemechanisms, such as a capacitive touchscreen or electronic actuator.Operation of the one or more switches 705, such as by a user, may causethe generator to charge the ultracapacitor portion 104 or to ceasecharging the ultracapacitor portion 104. Each of the one or moreswitches 705 may correspond to a unique capacitor of the ultracapacitorportion 104. Operation of the button 703, such as by a user, may causethe ultracapacitor portion 104 to provide energy to the energy retainerportion 106 or to cease providing energy to the energy retainer portion106. Additionally, and/or alternatively to manually toggling betweencharging and not charging the ultracapacitor portion 104 and/or theenergy retainer portion 106 described with reference to FIG. 7,automatically toggling may occur based on various resistances, voltagesetc., as discussed herein.

FIG. 8 shows various instruments 801 which may be incorporated into,implemented by, or used in conjunction with, the other systems, devices,or components described herein, such as the hypercapacitor 102 and/or apower generation or charging system 117 for use in a vehicle such as thevehicle shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the instruments 801 may beconfigured to display information to a user, such as a driver of avehicle. For example, the instruments 801 may display voltage and/oramperage of components of the vehicle such as the hypercapacitor 102and/or a power generation or charging system 117. The instruments 801may display, for example, charge rate and/or charge status of theultracapacitor 104 and the energy retainer portion 106. In someembodiments, the instruments 801 may be configured to receive userinput, which may control operation and/or functionality of the systemsas described herein.

FIG. 9 shows an example vehicle employing the systems and components asdiscussed herein such as a power generation or charging system 117, ahypercapacitor 102 and/or other components discussed herein. The vehicleshown in FIG. 9 is not meant to be limiting and any vehicle, vessel,equipment, device or system may incorporate the systems and componentsdiscussed herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a chart of example data relating to voltagegeneration and usage of a power generation or charging system 117 andhypercapacitor 102 operating in a vehicle while travelling a distance.As shown in FIG. 10, the vehicle starts at a location 0 and travels adistance of 6.6 miles during which the power generation or chargingsystem 117 and hypercapacitor 102 are operating within the vehicle. Thechart of FIG. 10 shows the voltage generated by the power generation orcharging system 117 and provided to the ultracapacitor portion 104 (leftcolumn; denominated ultracapacitor voltage) and the voltage providedfrom the energy retainer portion 106 to the motor of the vehicle (rightcolumn; denominated battery field voltage). As shown in the chart ofFIG. 10, the ultracapacitor voltage and energy retainer voltage begin at352.4V and 351.2V, respectively, when the vehicle is at location 0. Uponstarting the vehicle, the voltage of the ultracapacitor portion 104and/or the energy retainer portion 106 may decrease significantly, forexample by about 5V. This may be due to the large amounts of energyrequired to start the motor of a vehicle and/or to accelerate thevehicle from rest.

As the vehicle travels, the power generation or charging system 117 maygenerate energy to transfer to the ultracapacitor 104. As theultracapacitor portion 104 receives energy, for example, from the powergeneration or charging system 117, the ultracapacitor portion 104 mayincrease in voltage. The ultracapacitor portion 104 may transfer energyto the energy retainer portion 106 to charge the energy retainer portion106.

As shown in the graph of FIG. 10, as the vehicle travels from mile 1 tomile 6.6 the voltage in the ultracapacitor portion 104 remainsrelatively constant (e.g., 345.3 to 345.5). The increase in theultracapacitor portion 104 voltage of 0.2V may be due to the energyreceived from the energy generating components such as the powergeneration or charging system 117.

As shown in the graph of FIG. 10, as the vehicle travels from mile 1 tomile 6.6 the voltage in the energy retainer portion 106 may increasefrom 346V to 349.02V. The increase in the energy retainer portion 106voltage of about 3V may be due to energy received from theultracapacitor portion 104. As shown by the data of the graph of FIG.10, as the vehicle travels, energy may be generated by the energygenerating components such as the power generation or charging system117, etc., and may be provided to the ultracapacitor portion 104 whichmay in turn provide the energy to the energy retainer portion 106. Thismay sustain high voltage levels in the hypercapacitor 102 which mayprolong the operation of the vehicle.

Additional Embodiments

As used herein, “system,” “instrument,” “apparatus,” and “device”generally encompass both the hardware (for example, mechanical andelectronic) and, in some implementations, associated software (forexample, specialized computer programs for graphics control) components.

Further, the data processing and interactive and dynamic user interfacesdescribed herein are enabled by innovations in efficient data processingand interactions between the user interfaces and underlying systems andcomponents.

It is to be understood that not necessarily all objects or advantagesmay be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment describedherein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize thatcertain embodiments may be configured to operate in a manner thatachieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taughtherein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as maybe taught or suggested herein.

Each of the processes, methods, and algorithms described in thepreceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partially automatedby, code modules executed by one or more computer systems or computerprocessors including computer hardware. The code modules may be storedon any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or computerstorage device, such as hard drives, solid state memory, optical disc,and/or the like. The systems and modules may also be transmitted asgenerated data signals (for example, as part of a carrier wave or otheranalog or digital propagated signal) on a variety of computer-readabletransmission mediums, including wireless-based and wired/cable-basedmediums, and may take a variety of forms (for example, as part of asingle or multiplexed analog signal, or as multiple discrete digitalpackets or frames). The processes and algorithms may be implementedpartially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. The results ofthe disclosed processes and process steps may be stored, persistently orotherwise, in any type of non-transitory computer storage such as, forexample, volatile or non-volatile storage.

Many other variations than those described herein will be apparent fromthis disclosure. For example, depending on the embodiment, certain acts,events, or functions of any of the algorithms described herein can beperformed in a different sequence, can be added, merged, or left outaltogether (for example, not all described acts or events are necessaryfor the practice of the algorithms). Moreover, in certain embodiments,acts or events can be performed concurrently, for example, throughmulti-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple processorsor processor cores or on other parallel architectures, rather thansequentially. In addition, different tasks or processes can be performedby different machines and/or computing systems that can functiontogether.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and algorithm elementsdescribed in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware andsoftware, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, and elementshave been described herein generally in terms of their functionality.Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or softwaredepends upon the particular application and design constraints imposedon the overall system. The described functionality can be implemented invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the disclosure.

The various features and processes described herein may be usedindependently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. Allpossible combinations and sub-combinations are intended to fall withinthe scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method or processblocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods and processesdescribed herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, andthe blocks or states relating thereto can be performed in othersequences that are appropriate. For example, described blocks or statesmay be performed in an order other than that specifically disclosed, ormultiple blocks or states may be combined in a single block or state.The example blocks or states may be performed in serial, in parallel, orin some other manner. Blocks or states may be added to or removed fromthe disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and componentsdescribed herein may be configured differently than described. Forexample, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged comparedto the disclosed example embodiments.

The various illustrative logical blocks and modules described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented orperformed by a machine, such as a general purpose processor, a digitalsignal processor (“DSP”), an application specific integrated circuit(“ASIC”), a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”) or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor,but in the alternative, the processor can be a controller,microcontroller, or state machine, combinations of the same, or thelike. A processor can include electrical circuitry configured to processcomputer-executable instructions. In another embodiment, a processorincludes an FPGA or other programmable devices that performs logicoperations without processing computer-executable instructions. Aprocessor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices,for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration. Although described hereinprimarily with respect to digital technology, a processor may alsoinclude primarily analog components. For example, some, or all, of thesignal processing algorithms described herein may be implemented inanalog circuitry or mixed analog and digital circuitry. A computingenvironment can include any type of computer system, including, but notlimited to, a computer system based on a microprocessor, a mainframecomputer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing device, adevice controller, or a computational engine within an appliance, toname a few.

The elements of a method, process, or algorithm described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly inhardware, in a software module stored in one or more memory devices andexecuted by one or more processors, or in a combination of the two. Asoftware module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory,EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium, media, or physical computer storage known in the art. An examplestorage medium can be coupled to the processor such that the processorcan read information from, and write information to, the storage medium.In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor.The storage medium can be volatile or nonvolatile. The processor and thestorage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a userterminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium canreside as discrete components in a user terminal.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

As used herein a “data storage system” may be embodied in computingsystem that utilizes hard disk drives, solid state memories and/or anyother type of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium accessibleto or by a device such as an access device, server, or other computingdevice described. A data storage system may also or alternatively bedistributed or partitioned across multiple local and/or remote storagedevices as is known in the art without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. In yet other embodiments, a data storage system mayinclude or be embodied in a data storage web service.

As used herein, the terms “determine” or “determining” encompass a widevariety of actions. For example, “determining” may include calculating,computing, processing, deriving, looking up (for example, looking up ina table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and thelike. Also, “determining” may include receiving (for example, receivinginformation), accessing (for example, accessing data in a memory) andthe like. Also, “determining” may include resolving, selecting,choosing, establishing, and the like.

As used herein, the term “selectively” or “selective” may encompass awide variety of actions. For example, a “selective” process may includedetermining one option from multiple options. A “selective” process mayinclude one or more of: dynamically determined inputs, preconfiguredinputs, or user-initiated inputs for making the determination. In someimplementations, an n-input switch may be included to provide selectivefunctionality where n is the number of inputs used to make theselection.

As used herein, the terms “provide” or “providing” encompass a widevariety of actions. For example, “providing” may include storing a valuein a location for subsequent retrieval, transmitting a value directly tothe recipient, transmitting or storing a reference to a value, and thelike. “Providing” may also include encoding, decoding, encrypting,decrypting, validating, verifying, and the like.

As used herein, the term “message” encompasses a wide variety of formatsfor communicating (for example, transmitting or receiving) information.A message may include a machine readable aggregation of information suchas an XML document, fixed field message, comma separated message, or thelike. A message may, in some implementations, include a signal utilizedto transmit one or more representations of the information. Whilerecited in the singular, it will be understood that a message may becomposed, transmitted, stored, received, etc. in multiple parts.

As used herein a “user interface” (also referred to as an interactiveuser interface, a graphical user interface or a UI) may refer to anetwork based interface including data fields and/or other controls forreceiving input signals or providing electronic information and/or forproviding information to the user in response to any received inputsignals. A UI may be implemented in whole or in part using technologiessuch as hyper-text mark-up language (HTML), ADOBE® FLASH®, JAVA®,MICROSOFT® .NET®, web services, and rich site summary (RSS). In someimplementations, a UI may be included in a stand-alone client (forexample, thick client, fat client) configured to communicate (forexample, send or receive data) in accordance with one or more of theaspects described.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to present that an item, term, and so forth,may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (for example, X, Y,and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to,and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one ofX, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

Any process descriptions, elements, or blocks in the flow diagramsdescribed herein and/or depicted in the attached figures should beunderstood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions ofcode which include one or more executable instructions for implementingspecific logical functions or steps in the process. Alternateimplementations are included within the scope of the embodimentsdescribed herein in which elements or functions may be deleted, executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as “a” or “an” shouldgenerally be interpreted to include one or more described items.Accordingly, phrases such as “a device configured to” are intended toinclude one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devicescan also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations.For example, “a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B andC” can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation Aworking in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry outrecitations B and C.

All of the methods and processes described herein may be embodied in,and partially or fully automated via, software code modules executed byone or more general purpose computers. For example, the methodsdescribed herein may be performed by the computing system and/or anyother suitable computing device. The methods may be executed on thecomputing devices in response to execution of software instructions orother executable code read from a tangible computer readable medium. Atangible computer readable medium is a data storage device that canstore data that is readable by a computer system. Examples of computerreadable mediums include read-only memory, random-access memory, othervolatile or non-volatile memory devices, CD-ROMs, magnetic tape, flashdrives, and optical data storage devices.

It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may bemade to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are tobe understood as being among other acceptable examples. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure. The section headings used herein aremerely provided to enhance readability and are not intended to limit thescope of the embodiments disclosed in a particular section to thefeatures or elements disclosed in that section. The foregoingdescription details certain embodiments. It will be appreciated,however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, thesystems and methods can be practiced in many ways. As is also statedherein, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology whendescribing certain features or aspects of the systems and methods shouldnot be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein tobe restricted to including any specific characteristics of the featuresor aspects of the systems and methods with which that terminology isassociated.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information, messages,and signals may be represented using any of a variety of differenttechnologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands,information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referencedthroughout the above description may be represented by voltages,currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, opticalfields or particles, or any combination thereof.

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 13. An energy storage apparatus, the apparatuscomprising: a plurality of ultracapacitors, wherein each of theultracapacitors of the plurality of ultracapacitors is configured to:store an inbound energy as a first energy in an electric field of theplurality of ultracapacitors; and convey, at a same time as each of theother ultracapacitors of the plurality of ultracapacitors, the firstenergy, as an outbound energy, to a first battery, wherein said firstbattery is electrically coupled to each of the ultracapacitors of theplurality of ultracapacitors and configured to: receive the outboundenergy from the plurality of ultracapacitors; and store said outboundenergy as a second energy of the first battery.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 13, further comprising a second battery, wherein each of theultracapacitors of the plurality of ultracapacitors is configured to:convey, at a same time as each of the other ultracapacitors of theplurality of ultracapacitors, the first energy, as the outbound energy,to the second battery, wherein said second battery is electricallycoupled to each of the ultracapacitors of the plurality ofultracapacitors and configured to: receive the outbound energy from theplurality of ultracapacitors; and store the outbound energy as a thirdenergy of the second battery.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein theplurality of ultracapacitors is further configured to removablyelectrically couple to an energy source, wherein the energy source is autility grid and wherein the plurality of ultracapacitors is furtherconfigured to: removably electrically couple to the utility grid via astandard 110 volt or 220 volt outlet; and wherein the first battery isfurther configured to: receive, outbound energy from the plurality ofultracapacitors in response to a voltage level of the first batterydropping below a low threshold value.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the plurality of ultracapacitors is configured to removablyelectrically couple to an energy source via one or more diodes biasedtoward the plurality of ultracapacitors.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the first battery is electrically coupled to the plurality ofultracapacitors via one or more diodes biased toward the first battery,and wherein the one or more diodes is configured to prevent a flow ofenergy from the first battery to the plurality of ultracapacitors, andwherein the first battery is configured to receive outbound energy fromthe plurality of ultracapacitors via the one or more diodes based, atleast in part, on a resistance in the one or more diodes.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the first battery is further configuredto receive the outbound energy from the plurality of ultracapacitorsbased, at least in part, on a voltage level of the plurality ofultracapacitors.
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 21. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the plurality of ultracapacitors is further configuredto removably electrically couple to an energy source, wherein each ofthe ultracapacitors of the plurality of ultracapacitors is furtherconfigured to: receive, at a same time as each of the otherultracapacitors of the plurality of ultracapacitors, an inbound energyfrom the energy source.
 22. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein theplurality of ultracapacitors is configured to resist receiving an energyfrom the first battery.
 23. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the firstbattery is configured to receive the outbound energy from the pluralityof ultracapacitors based, at least in part, on a voltage level of thefirst battery.
 24. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first batteryis further configured to resist receiving the outbound energy from theplurality of ultracapacitors in response to a voltage level of the firstbattery exceeding a high threshold voltage.
 25. The apparatus of claim13, wherein the first battery is further configured to store 400 volts,and wherein the plurality of ultracapacitors is configured to store 400volts.
 26. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first battery isdirectly electrically coupled to the plurality of ultracapacitors in afixed electrical communication.
 27. The apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe first battery is electrically coupled to the plurality ofultracapacitors via one or more wires or cables configured to conductmore than 100 amperes across a voltage differential of more than 100volts.
 28. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plurality ofultracapacitors is further configured to removably electrically coupleto an energy source, wherein the energy source is a power generationsystem of a vehicle configured to generate energy in response to amotion of the vehicle.
 29. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein theresistance in the one or more diodes is based, at least in part, on avoltage level of the first battery and a voltage level of the pluralityof ultracapacitors.
 30. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the firstbattery is further configured to convey the second energy to a load,wherein the load is a vehicle.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30, whereinthe plurality of ultracapacitors is further configured to convey thefirst energy to the first battery to maintain a substantially constantvoltage of the first battery at a same time that the first batteryconveys the second energy to the load.